6+ Great Alternatives To Windows XP That Are Free and Open Source

Microsoft Windows XP is one of the most widely used commercial operating systems, many a times infamous for its BSOD (Blue Screen of Death). Though a refined Operating System when compared to Windows 95/98, lot of performance issues have been attributed to Windows XP. Needless to say all Microsoft OS costs $$$. Microsoft has been claiming that their latest Windows 7 is their best OS on offer ever. But, the truth is Windows OS are plagued with Spyware and Malware software that are out there to hamper your happiness. When you are on Windows, you need to be ready with Anti-Spyware, Anti-Virus software and keep cleaning your registry files etc. For advanced users, it is more of a problem. More and more people are moving towards Linux based Operating system for home as well as office use. Thanks to the more open source supporters, developers who have really made Linux operating systems more docile :). Linux flavors like Ubuntu, Fedora have become extremely simple and user friendly. Without knowing complex Linux commands, one can happily use Linux over Windows without paying any money and with more security. You can boot Linux from your Pendrive as well!

Ubuntu

Latest Ubuntu 10.04 LTS is available for free download. Ubuntu is one of the most widely used Linux Distro, from Canonical. Very easy and refreshing to use. Almost all Windows look and feel can be experienced on Ubuntu. It is available in Netbook, Desktop and Server editions. Also suitable for Cloud Infrastructure. Ubuntu is free but comes with full technical support (of-course for a fee) if needed. Ubuntu is so standardized and used by so many enterprises, there is a certification for Ubuntu for people who want to work on Ubuntu technology.

Ubuntu One – Music Store where you can buy legal Music!

Store and Organize you Photos

Play, Edit and Make movies with Ubuntu!

Built-in Social Networking support!

Solid E-Mail and IM Support and much more features for common users.

Fedora

Fedora is second most popular Linux Distro next to Ubuntu. Even the Linux God Linus Torvalds uses it (an old claim, not verified). The latest Fedora 13 (Goddard) as usual has lots of goodies like OpenOffice, KDE, and much more. A versatile operating system for home and office users.

OpenSuse (from Novell)

OpenSure (Ver 11.2) is a free and Linux-based operating system for your PC, Laptop or Server. You can surf the web, manage your e-mails and photos, do office work, play videos or music and much more fun. Version 11.2 has more than 1000 open source apps. Check out more about OpenSuse.

Debian

Debian is a free operating system for your computer. Debian uses the Linux kernel, and off late has become quite popular. It comes with 25000 packages and lots of open source apps for you to use. Read more on Debian here.

Mandriva Linux 2010

Mandriva is again quite popular operating systems for home as well as office users. More than 3 million people use Mandriva Linux. It is free and open source, secured with lots of applications. Read more on Mandriva.

Gentoo Linux

Gentoo is a free operating system based on either Linux or FreeBSD that can be automatically optimized and customized for just about any application or need. Extreme configurability, performance and a top-notch user and developer community are all hallmarks of the Gentoo experience. Based on technology called Portage, Gentoo has become an ideal secure server, development workstation, professional desktop, gaming system, embedded solution or something else — whatever you need it to be. Because of its near-unlimited adaptability, its a metadistribution.

OpenSolaris (Discontinued)

OpenSolaris is based on Solaris from Sun Microsystems and now owned by Oracle Corp. Unfortunately it was discontinued in Jan, 2010. No updates will be available. It was popular and that’s the reason, it is listed here.